this--he went in search of a Belphin. That is, he waited
until one glided past and called to him to leave the walk.

"I wish to report a conspiracy at No. 7 Mimosa Lane," he said. "The
girl is innocent, but the others are in it to the hilt."

The Belphin appeared to think for a minute. Then he gave off a smile.
"Oh, them," he said. "We know. They are harmless."

"Harmless!" Ludovick repeated. "Why, I understand they've already tried
to--to attack the Blue Tower by _force_!"

"Quite. And failed. For we are protected from hostile forces, as you
were told earlier, by the power of love."

Ludovick knew, of course, that the Belphin used the word _love_
metaphorically, that the Tower was protected by a series of highly
efficient barriers of force to repel attackers--barriers which, he
realized now, from the sad fate of Mieczyslaw and George, were
potentially lethal. However, he did not blame the Belphin for being
so cagy about his race's source of power, not with people like the
Flockharts running about subverting and whatnot.

"You certainly do have a wonderful intercommunication system," he
murmured.

"Everything about us is wonderful," the Belphin said noncommittally.
"That's why we're so good to you people. Be happy!" And he was off.

But Ludovick could not be happy. He wasn't precisely sad yet, but he
was thoughtful. Of course the Belphins knew better than he did, but
still.... Perhaps they underestimated the seriousness of the Flockhart
conspiracy. On the other hand, perhaps it was he who was taking the
Flockharts too seriously. Maybe he should investigate further before
doing anything rash.

Later that night, he slipped over to the Flockhart villa and nosed
about in the courtyard until he found the window behind which the
family was conspiring. He peered through a chink in the curtains, so
he could both see and hear.

Corisande was saying, "And so I think there is a lot in what Ludovick
said...."

Bless her, he thought emotionally. Even in the midst of her plotting,
she had time to spare a kind word for him. And then it hit him: _she,
too, was a plotter_.

"You suggest that we try to turn the power of love against the Belphins?"
the uncle asked ironically.

Corisande gave a rippling laugh as she twirled her glittering pendant.
"In a manner of speaking," she said. "I have an idea for a secret
weapon which might do the trick----"

* * * * *

At that moment, Lu